The Name of Jesus (#18 in Yahweh and the Angel of Yahweh)

We started this study examining the name of God, Yahweh. We then examined the instances of the appearance of the Angel or Messenger of Yahweh, whom we saw was distinct from Yahweh and yet equal to Yahweh. There could thus be no other identification for this personage than the Son of God, helping to give evidence to God being a trinity, a triune being who is nevertheless one essence. This also strengthens our sense of Old Testament acknowledgement of plurality in the Godhead. And, of course, this also strengthens the biblical witness to the deity of Jesus Christ.

There is additional evidence for the deity of Christ to be found in the expressions around the name of God used in the Old Testament and similar usage in the New Testament in reference to Jesus the Messiah.

The Old Testament is rife with the concept of calling on the name of Yahweh in prayer (Genesis 4:26; 12:8; 13:4; 21:33; 26:25; 1 Kings 18:24; 2 Kings 5:11; Psalm 99:6; 116:4,13,17; Lamentations 3:55; Joel 2:32; Zephaniah 3:9). But in the New Testament we’re told to call on the name of Jesus:

To the church of God at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord—both their Lord and ours. (1 Corinthians 1:2)

This is a blasphemous concept if Jesus is not God. And Revelation tells us of Jesus that he has an exalted title, a title it would seem only Yahweh should have:

And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Revelation 19:16)

Yahweh’s name, we see in the Old Testament, is to be honored by all (Exodus 33:19; Deuteronomy 28:58; 32:3; 2 Samuel 22:50; 2 Chronicles 16:8,10,29; Nehemiah 1:11; 9:5, etc), whereas in the New Testament, Jesus’ name is to be honored:

But the Lord [Jesus] said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. (Acts 9:15)

When this became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, they became afraid, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high esteem. (Acts 19:17)

so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:12)

In the Old Testament righteous things are to be done in the name of Yahweh (10:8; 21:5; 2 Samuel 6:18; 1 Chronicles 23:13; 2Chronicles 33:18; Jeremiah 11:21; 14:14,15; 26:16,20; 27:15; 29:9,21; 44:16) , but these things are now to be done, as the New Testament tells us, in the name of Jesus:

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ (Matthew 7:22)

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” (Luke 10:17)

They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 8:16)

Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:27)

who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 15:26)

Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:13)

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus, and I am with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 5:4)

But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister who is idle and does not live according to the tradition received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

Any Jew worth his salt would have recognized that the honor due to Yahweh’s name is being given to the name of Jesus. This is more evidence that the followers of Jesus saw him as Yahweh in the flesh. This is who our Savior is!

[For a thorough defense of the deity of Jesus, see John 1:1 and the Jehovah’s Witnesses]